Atlanta Soil Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution Control Ordinance

Purpose: to strengthen and extend the present erosion and sedimentation control activities and programs of the city and to provide for the establishment and implementation of a city-wide comprehensive soil erosion and sedimentation control program to conserve and protect the land, water, air and other resources of the city.

This expansive law sets out permit requirements for any “land disturbing activity,” with certain industries exempted. https://library.municode.com/ga/atlanta/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORATGEVOII_CH74EN_ARTIISOERSEPOCO
City of Atlanta Soil Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution Control Ordinance, Atlanta, Georgia Code of Ordinances Ch. 74 Art. II, Sec. 74-39 states land disturbing permit applications must include an erosion and sedimentation control plan. The plan is required to “consider the interrelationship of the soil types, geological and hydrological characteristics, topography, watershed, vegetation, proposed permanent structures including roadways, constructed waterways, sediment control and stormwater management facilities, city ordinances, and state laws.”

Sec. 74-510 on Stormwater consultation meetings specifically requires proposed site plans to detail “boundaries of existing vegetation especially trees” and proposed “trees and canopy cover.”

City of Atlanta Soil Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution Control Ordinance, Atlanta, Georgia Code of Ordinances Ch. 74 Art. II, Sec. 74-40 states data required for land disturbing permit includes:
· “(7) Stormwater and sedimentation management systems’ storage capacity, hydrologic study, and calculations, including off-site drainage areas.
· (8)Vegetative plan for all temporary and permanent vegetative measures, including species, planting, dates, and seeding, fertilizer, lime, and mulching rates. The vegetative plan shall show applicable options for year-round seeding in accordance with Chapter 6 Section II, Vegetative Measures, of the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia.
· (9)Detailed drawings for all structural erosion control practices. Detailed drawings shall either follow guidelines set forth in the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia, or shall adhere to more stringent, alternate design criteria which conform to sound conservation and engineering practices.”
City of Atlanta Soil Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution Control Ordinance, Atlanta, Georgia Code of Ordinances Ch. 74 Art. II, Sec. 74-43 details the minimum requirements for erosion and sedimentation control using best management practices, detailed in the Georgia Manual for Erosion and Settlement Control. (available at: Manual-for-Erosion-and-Sediment-Control-2016-Edition.pdf )
The Georgia Manual of Sediment Control details specific guidance on best practices for the construction and design of surfaces during the course of a land disturbing activity. Guidance includes planting vegetation, construction of vegetated (porous) waterways, preservation of trees, and numerous other detailed measures to construct surfaces minimizing issues caused by stormwater runoff and soil erosion. (Manual-for-Erosion-and-Sediment-Control-2016-Edition.pdf , see also, Georgia Erosion and Sediment Control Guidance page: https://gaswcc.georgia.gov/urban-erosion-sediment-control/technical-guidance)

Also includes the following provisions:
– Minimum Requirements / Best Management Practices consistent with the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia.
– Preference for maintaining natural vegetation